How Do You Store Your Blue Marking Pens?

I got "educated" at our last Smocking Guild meeting. We somehow started talking about blue marking pens during our meeting and then someone mentioned how they are supposed to be stored. I usually store mine in a small canning jar or a cute little mug.....both ways they are standing vertically on one end or the other. The ladies there told me they are supposed to be stored in a horizontal position so that the ink will stay better longer. I had no idea! And now I have no idea of where I will store them because tossing them in a jar or mug is so much easier for me. So I ask....How do you all store your blue marking pens? Flat/Horizontal? Vertical? Or otherwise?

My Most Favorite Sewing Machine Foot........

As you all know I have four little ones and we homeschool. Therefore I am with my four little ones 24/7. So since I can't be sewing all the time....I do think about sewing as often as I can. One thing I often think about is my favorite sewing machine foot. My most favorite foot by far...is the edge stitch foot. For my Bernina...that is foot #10. It seems like I use this foot every time I sit down at the machine. I use it for some hems like the one above. And I also use it for edge stitching and top stitching by moving my needle position and using the guide on the foot to run along the folded edge of the fabric. I also use it for stitching in the ditch by running the guide "in the ditch" and keeping my needle in the center position so that it stitches exactly where I want it to. I know I use it in other situations too...but my brain just can't think of them right now.

If you don't have a foot like this yet....see if your machine has one available....you will love it!!!!

My Newest Tool......

First off, you'll have to excuse my poor pictures. I waited until way too late in the day to snap a couple of photos.....therefore....there was flash. Sorry!!!

But anyway.....here is my newest tool. My high school sewing teacher, Mrs. Wallace, had something similar to this and I always wanted one. Only recently did I find this one in a sewing magazine. All folded up it doesn't look like much.

But if you gently pull on it....it stretches.

It is such a huge help with measuring for buttonholes. I mark with a blue water-soluble pen where I want the first buttonhole and the last buttonhole and then stretch this little gizmo to create equally spaced measurements in between. On this little dress that I am working on, I only put five buttonholes/buttons on it......so I only used the first five (counting from the left which is the top of the dress) measurements. On little baby dresses I usually put the last button about 2 inches or so up from the bottom edge. I can obviously figure the same measurements out with a ruler....but this little gadget makes it so much quicker and easier. Not to mention....fun!